The Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards is not “the biggest jazz event ever,” as one recent news release trumpeted. But the four-day series of concerts and related events, to be held at various San Diego venues Thursday through next Sunday, is undoubtedly one of the biggest in the world of contemporary jazz (or “smooth jazz,” a genre long championed by San Diego radio station KIFM 98.1 The Breeze, a key Oasis sponsor).

More than 50 artists are scheduled to perform, among them keyboardist Keiko Matsui, guitarist Peter White and saxophonist Dave Koz, who will also host Saturday’s Oasis Awards at the Civic Theatre and is himself the host of a show on KiFM. The extended weekend begins Thursday with events at the Hard Rock Hotel and the Balboa Theatre.

These will be followed by Friday night’s independently produced “In Concert for Cancer” on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum ; Saturday’s awards show and concert at the Civic (performers include Matsui, The Rippingtons and keyboardist George Duke); and next Sunday’s champagne brunch at the Hard Rock (a gospel-music-styled show featuring 2011 Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum).

Duke is one of this year’s two Oasis Hall of Fame Award recipients, along with bassist and former NBA star Wayman Tisdale (who died in 2009). Also set to be honored is sax legend James Moody, who died here Dec. 9 at the age of 85, and ex-KIFM DJ Art Good, whose Catalina Island JazzTrax Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

“San Diego should be proud to host one of the most important contemporary jazz events of its kind,” said bass great Nathan East, a UCSD graduate who grew up in San Diego and counts Herbie Hancock and Eric Clapton among his many past collaborators.

East is one of five Oasis Bass Player of the Year nominees, alongside 2011 Best New Artist Grammy-winner Esperanza Spalding and ex-Miles Davis band member/producer Marcus Miller. Fourplay, the all-star contemporary jazz quartet East plays in, ﻿is nominated in the Oasis Jazz Group and Song of the Year categories.

“More than anything, it’s a wonderful opportunity for the contemporary jazz community to come together in a celebratory fashion,” East said, speaking from a Fourplay tour stop in Seoul, South Korea.

“Most of the nominees are really good friends of mine, and I look forward to catching up with everyone in this festive setting. Fourplay performed at one of the previous Oasis Awards ceremonies, which has a special place in my heart, since my mother was in attendance, as well as my best friend, (former Fattburger keyboardist) Carl Evans Jr.”

The event East cites was held here in 2002 at downtown’s Golden Hall and drew a full house. Oasis was launched in 2000 in Fort Worth and was televised by BET. It moved the next year to Chicago, where it drew a sellout crowd of 3,500 and was again televised by BET.